cortical

adjective

cor·​ti·​cal ˈkȯr-ti-kəl 

1

: of, relating to, or consisting of cortex

2

: involving or resulting from the action or condition of the cerebral cortex

cortically

ˈkȯr-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Examples of cortical in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The brain’s surface has ridges and valleys, and CTE tangles are found in the depths of those valleys, called the cortical sulci, and surround blood vessels. — Alexandra Pattillo, Scientific American, 23 Sep. 2026

In a recent Nature study, Terral and Renata Batista-Brito, who runs the lab, report a population of cortical cells that challenges that assumption. — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 18 Sep. 2026

While experts recognize the immense scientific potential of the findings, some warn that the ability to create hybrid mouse-human cortical brain cells could bring us closer than ever to a concerning ethical boundary. — Mike McRae 17, New Atlas, 17 Sep. 2026

Human brain analyses validate findings To determine whether their findings translate to humans, the researchers obtained cortical samples from four human individuals aged 67 to 96. — Kristel Tjandra, Hartford Courant, 5 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1671, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for cortical

• vortical
• adrenocortical
• thalamocortical
• neocortical
• subcortical

Medical Definition

cortical

adjective

cor·​ti·​cal ˈkȯrt-i-kəl 

1

: of, relating to, or consisting of cortex

cortical tissue

2

: involving or resulting from the action or condition of the cerebral cortex

cortical blindness

cortically

-k(ə-)lē 

adverb